Kangaroos‘ Forward Pack Under Scrutiny Following Ashes Series
Australia’s dominant victory in the third Ashes Test against England has been overshadowed by concerns regarding the performance of the Kangaroos’ forward pack during the recent Pacific Championship. While the backrowers Angus Crichton and Hudson Young demonstrated strong form, the middle forwards struggled to consistently impact the game, raising questions about their ability to compete against the more formidable packs of New Zealand and samoa.
The Kangaroos’ middles failed to reach the 100-meter mark in runs, with only Isaah Yeo achieving that milestone with 13 runs for 119 meters. Tino Fa’asaumaleaui managed 6 runs for 47 meters, Pat Carrigan 7 for 51, Reuben Cotter 7 for 72, Lindsay Collins 4 for 54, and Keaon Koloamatangi 3 for 30. Despite limited playing time for some, the lack of consistent yardage gained from the forwards has prompted analysis of potential vulnerabilities as Australia prepares for future challenges.
Early in the match, Carrigan and Fa’asaumaleaui displayed aggression, and Cotter provided impact off the bench. Though, the disparity in performance compared to the Kiwi and Samoan packs-known for their power-has led to speculation that the forward line could prove to be a weakness for the Kangaroos in upcoming competitions.
This scrutiny arrives amid broader questions surrounding the future of Queensland coach Kevin Walters, and the form of Kangaroos halfback Nathan Cleary.Paul Crawley’s column highlights these concerns as Australia looks ahead to the 2025 NRL season and beyond.